Facts about Solar Panels

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	Facts about Solar Panels Facts about solar panels - how they work and whether they're right for you. If you live in a sunny area, such as California, solar panels are a good investment, but those of us living in the rest of the country will most likely also have to have other sources of energy. What are Solar Panels? Solar panels are made by combining silicon crystals with other elements including phosphorus to make panels. When these panels are pointed to the sun at the right angle, photons from the sun bombard atoms in the panels, bumping electrons and creating an electrical current. That current is then stored in 12-volt batteries for later use. When you're ready to use the electricity, you must run it through an inverter which converts it from a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC). Big Size, Small Electricity This 60-Watt kit is a great place to start. One of the sad facts about solar panels is for all their size they produce a small amount of electricity. When considering purchasing a solar panel, you want to look at the number of cells it has. The more solar cells a panel has, the more electricity it can produce. Also, you need to think about how much average sunshine you have in your area. If you live in an area where you get lots of sunshine, such as California, then it would make sense to use primarily solar panels to get your energy. In Oklahoma, the cost to go completely off the grid in my area would be about $38,000 because we'd need so many more panels to capture the rays. Best Storage System Although you can store the energy from your solar panels in a 12-volt car battery, that won't be your best choice since a typical car battery will wear out after about a dozen charge/discharge cycles. A deep cycle sealed battery is your best choice. A Pure Sine Wave inverter protects your appliances. Power Inverter One of the important facts about solar panels to remember is to convert the power from your solar panels from a direct to an alternating current, you will need an inverter. You will want a Pure Sine Wave inverter rather than a modified sine wave inverter because it will produce a current that most closely resembles the AC current you get from the power company and is less likely to damage your electronics. How Much Do You Need? With solar panels the best way to start is to buy a solar panel kit and then invest in more panels as you go. An 80-Watt solar panel will run your computer and a small boom box, while a 123-Watt solar panel is good for back-up power in an emergency. You can also use a solar panel to run a refrigerator, especially if you convert a deep chest freezer into an energy-efficient refrigerator. Learn More About Going Off the Grid Learn how to make your own solar books with this helpful program. It's not just for a great day at the beach, but the sun can be a great source of energy as well. Learn about harnessing power from the sun. Is it always breezy where you live? You can use all that air to save money. Learn how harnessing the wind is becoming an increasingly viable source of electricity. If you have a small stream nearby, you not only have a source of water, but you could also have a potential source of energy. Learn more here. Want to use that rain on days when it's dry? You can with a rain barrel. Learn why a cistern is great source of back up water for emergency purposes. Find out if solar power is right for you. If you don't have water pumped into your house, you will need an alterative way to deal with waste. Enter the Composting Toilet - How it works and why you should have one. Learn how to make a solar-powered hot water heater with this helpful guide. For the hard-core, off the gridder: The Methane Digester and How it Works. Do you have a drilled well and still want to use it, even when you have no power? Then learn more about a deep well hand pump. Learn the importance of going off the grid. If you live in the country now, or you are considering country life in the future, you will soon realize you don't always have a reliable source of power for your home. That's why knowing a little bit about generators and owning one is so important. Learn more. So what separates the portable propane generator from other generators? You'll find that a propane generator is less expensive to run than the gasoline version, saving you money. Also propane is a much cleaner fuel that produces fewer toxic fumes, making it safer to use around the home. Read more. Using windmills may not be the easiest way to provide power for your home, but if you have the right system and are willing to put in the work, you could have an energy source that will last for years and save you thousands of dollars. Learn more. If you live in a sunny area, solar panels could be a great way to get off the grid. Learn more. Wood burning cook stoves are the epitome of self reliance when it comes to heating your home and cooking food. But be aware there is a learning curve to using this appliance from the past. Learn more. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to make ice cream even when the power is out? Fortunately you can! Learn more. New! Comments Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Return from Facts About Solar Panels to the Home Page	Build Your Own Chicken Tractor! *You Can Build a Chicken Tractor* Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to build a chicken tractor and also provides helpful information on how to get free wood and how your chickens can pay for themselves. Click Here learn more. Search This Site: Subscribe to my free ezine! Successful Homesteading is a bi-weekly e-zine covering everything about self-reliance and the healthy, frugal life. Imagine! 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